United brings kids meals in the sky: Here are the airlines that offer kids meals

Fly with children maybe, for lack of a better word, chaos.

They may feel bored, scared, over-excited, over-tired, hungry, or most likely all of the above. All of these in-flight bumps can be solved with a little smart planning and a backpack full of activities and snacks, but you can get wobbly if it’s time to eat and the airline are not serving something your picky eaters have to pay attention to.

Related: 14 mistakes parents make when traveling with their children

Luckily, airlines are well aware that kids can be tough when it comes to food, and many offer kid-friendly snacks and meals on board. In the 1990s, United Airlines even served McDonald’s”Sky-friendly meal“similar to the Happy Meal and comes with items like burgers, cookies and toys, according to the Los Angeles Times.

In equally “happy” news, United Airlines on Wednesday announced that it will be bringing baby meals back on board – a service that has been phased out due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting Wednesday, meals will be available on flights over 2,000 miles, where a complimentary meal service is available. At breakfast, kids can lick their lips for items like French toast with sausage, fruit and croissants. Lunch and dinner will feature kid-friendly dishes like chicken, grilled cheese sandwiches, fruit, dinner rolls and desserts.

United’s children’s meals are currently only available on request, but starting in 2023 they will be available for pre-order in eligible cabins on select flights. You can add a “Special Kids Meal” request to an existing booking or to a new one in the United app.

Every airline is different when it comes to offering kid-friendly food. Here’s what kids can expect on board other major carriers.

Air France

Air France offers special meals for children and infants on most long-haul, intercontinental flights. Children between the ages of 2 and 8 will automatically receive their child’s meal, which includes salad, main course such as chicken and macaroni with cheese, pastries, apple juice, cheese and crackers, and juices. fruit and dessert for lunch or dinner. For breakfast, kids will receive two small pastries, a yogurt or fruit juice drink, a milkshake, milk and cereal.

Children aged 9 to 11 can still enjoy this meal, but you need to request it at least 24 hours before your flight departs.

Related: Fly with Air France? All you need to know about the menu

Parents of infants aged 0 to 23 months can request baby crackers or canned baby food up to 48 hours before your flight departs, but the airline recommends that you Bring your own food and/or bottle to make sure you have enough for the duration of your flight.

Alaska Airlines

In Alaska Airlines‘ main cabin and premium class, free meals are not offered, but a variety of meals and snacks are available for purchase on most flights over 783 miles. One of them is the Kid’s Choice Picnic Pack ($7.50), which comes with snacks like white cheddar puffs, turkey, apple sauce, a granola bar, a marshmallow bear, and a toy small to keep them busy after they finish eating. These, along with other in-flight meals, can be ordered online two weeks to 20 hours before your flight.

First class fare Comes with free meals. While there’s no such thing as a kid-specific meal, there are plenty of options to choose from when you pre-order, so you can find something to soothe your little one. If nothing else, the signature Alaskan cheese and fruit platter will be enough to keep them hooked.

Loyal

Like similar ultra-low cost airlines, Loyal provide a “naked” in-flight experience. If you want to choose your own seat, bring your carry-on luggage on board, or ask the flight attendants to serve you drinks and snacks, you’ll have to pay extra.

The airline has snacks and drink packs available for purchase on select flights, including the aptly named Deluxe Wingz Children’s Snack Pack ($10) that comes with white cheddar, turkey puffs dry, apple sauce, fruit snacks and cookies.

American Airlines offers a wide range of special mealInclude health care menu, on selected flights. Children’s meals are available for all fare classes on most international flights and come with “food appealing to children aged 2 to 5,” according to the airline’s website, although though anyone can order this type of meal. Children’s meals are also available and come with canned baby food. Both types of meals must be pre-ordered online or by phone at least 24 hours prior to departure.

Airline British Convenient offer meals for children and infants on long-haul flights and follow the “Feed Kids First” policy to ensure your child’s food is delivered in a timely manner so you can eat with peace of mind at a healthy level. some degree. Meals should be ordered at least 24 hours before your flight. Your child’s meals can include things like pasta, chicken, sandwiches, veggie sticks, fruit, and snacks like chips, raisins, or a small chocolate bar.

Special baby food is also available on long-haul flights, but the airline recommends that you still bring your own food.

Hawaiian Airlines provided Free meals for kids on most international flights in both business class and main cabin. Meals must be requested by calling the reservation department at least 48 hours prior to departure.

KLM

Like it Flying blue partner airlines, Air France, KLM don’t skimp when it comes to gourmet meals for kids. On all intercontinental flights, children 2 years of age and older can receive a fun, travel-themed meal box with child-approved foods such as pasta or hamburgers and French fries. Meals must be pre-ordered online at least 24 hours prior to departure.

Lufthansa

TPG has previously praised Lufthansa’s children’s menu and for good reason. The airline partnered with top chef Alexander Herrmann to develop meals that are aesthetically pleasing, look appetizing and provide the balanced nutrition kids need. Free meals are available on select flights and are intended for children 2 years of age and older and must be booked at least 24 hours prior to departure.

Food suitable for young children such as canned food, mini Viennese sausages and soups are also available and no reservation is required.

Spirit Airlines

When you consider the fact that Spirit Airlines considers almost anything other than your ticket As an add-on, it should come as no surprise that the food and drinks on board are not free. But it does have a Kids Snack Box on the on-board menu for a reasonable $5.50 that comes with cookies, crackers, fruit snacks, candies, and hand sanitizer wipes for care. Sticky hands after snacking.

If you’re on a flight that doesn’t serve meals to children, you’ll want to prepare plenty of snacks and drinks for your child. That being said, just because an airline doesn’t offer meals specifically for kids doesn’t mean you’re completely out of luck. Most airlines offer a varied menu, and your child’s favorites (or at least a few they’ll tolerate) are most likely to be on offer. At the very least, we think they’ll be a fan of this tried-and-tested, TPG-approved TPG. the best hamburger in the sky.